Laurent Blanc in frame to be next Chelsea boss if Maurizio Sarri is sacked

Blanc is linked with the post (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)Laurent Blanc has emerged as one of the contenders to replace Maurizio Sarri, if the Italian is relieved of his duties next week, reports claim.
Sarri is walking on thin ice at Stamford Bridge and it’s thought he has just a matter of games to save his job.
Chelsea are still fighting on three fronts following their disappointing 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup but could face further agony should they fail to see home a 2-1 advantage against Malmo in the Europa League on Thursday.
Sunday’s EFL Cup final against defending Premier League champions Manchester City gives Sarri the chance to secure silverware in his first season in charge of the Blues, while their next league match against Tottenham Hotspur could prove valuable in their hunt for a Champions League spot.

Sarri is under pressure (Picture: Getty Images)Though Chelsea chiefs are willing to give him the opportunity to turn things around, Sarri is on borrowed time and Blanc has been mentioned as a potential replacement for the Italian tactician, according to the Evening Standard.
The former Manchester United centre-back was on a shortlist to succeed Antonio Conte before Sarri was handed the gig and has been out of work since leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of 2016.
Should Sarri be fired before the season is out, Chelsea may prefer to hire an interim manager, with Blanc not keen on a short-term post.

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The 53-year-old wants the job on a permanent basis but Chelsea bosses are reluctant to rush into any decision.
Zinedine Zidane’s name has also cropped up as a long-term successor, while legendary stars Frank Lampard – who is in charge of Derby County – and John Terry, assistant manager at Aston Villa, have also been linked.